Indian pacer Sreesanth says that he is in “a dreamland” as his life is slowly returning to normal after a painful gap of eight years from all cricketing activities due to the allegations of match-fixing in the IPL 2013.
After making comeback in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the pacer is ecstatic to re-join his state team – Kerala ahead of the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy – India’s domestic 50-overs tournament later this month. He also registered for the mini IPL 2021 auction with a base price of Rs 75 lakh.
He has recently spoken about various things including his chances of playing the IPL again and whether will he continue with his comeback into the mainstream if he goes unsold in the upcoming mini-auction to be held in Chennai on February 18.
Sreesanth told Gulf News: “Certainly, it gave me great pleasure to be among the 13 shortlisted players from Kerala after all these years but my pursuit will not stop if there are no takers for me at the auction. As I have said before, my aim is to help Kerala win in the Ranji Trophy once and take those 13 Test wickets to reach the 100 wickets mark.”
He continued, “See, I didn’t have to do this if I was not desperate about returning to cricket again. In the last seven years, I had developed an alternative career in films and TV show appearances, which helped me in running the establishment. Even now, I have got six-seven Malayalam film assignments lined but I have realized that I will not be able to live without cricket.”
Sreesanth, once considered as one of the finest right arm pace bowlers, has also shared the experience of joining the Kerala team’s dressing room once again after so many years.
The 38-year-old continued, “I played five matches and the adrenaline rush was unbelievable. It was nice to catch up with Robin Uthappa, a contemporary of mine who is now playing for Kerala, and he told me that he has still not given on the hope of playing for India.”
SMA Trophy 2021: WATCH -Sreesanth gets emotional on picking first wicket after almost 8 years
Meanwhile, the Indian pacer has made it clear that he is now ready to give him all this time to make his India come back, and even if he isn’t picked at the IPL 2021 auction, he would like to play County cricket, but nothing can stop him as he wants to set an example for people who have given up in life.
Sreesanth explained, “I want to set an example for people who have given up in life. I have prepared myself for one last hurrah with a lot of hard work in which, the support of my family and music have played a major role, I am ready to play with painkillers if need be and no competition can stop me.”
He signed off, “There are not too many fast bowlers in the world who have been a part of two World Cup-winning squads in different formats. I really want to give it my all this time.”
